DUNDEE University has appointed Professor Andrew Atherton as its new principal.

Mr Atherton, who is currently deputy vice-chancellor of Lancaster University, is an expert on enterprise policy and China.

At Lancaster he is responsible for the overall academic development of the university, and oversees annual planning and major institutional projects.

He succeeds Professor Sir Pete Downes, who earlier this year announced his intention to retire at the end of 2018 after almost a decade as principal.

The university said Mr Atherton's salary and pensions package would be broadly similar to that of Sir Pete, who was paid a total of £266,000 in 2017.

Ronnie Bowie, chair of the university's ruling Court, said: “I am delighted we have been able to appoint Andrew as our new principal after a very competitive and rigorous recruitment process which included an international field of candidates.

"He evidences not only an excellent record of achievement, but also a clear empathy with our values and a shared aspiration across the student experience, learning and teaching, and in research."

Mr Atherton said he was "excited and honoured" to be appointed adding: "It is a strong community with committed and outstanding staff who make the university the success it is and will be in the future."

Professor Atherton joined Lancaster in 2013 from Lincoln University, where he was Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and led on major university initiatives including the establishment of the first new school of engineering in the UK for more than 20 years.

He has advised national and regional government as well as major bilateral and multilateral agencies on enterprise and small business policy development and implementation. Mr Atherton will take up his position in January next year.